The agreement aims to build sustainable food systems and inclusive agricultural value chains, recognising the growing importance of collaboration between Southern countries in the fight against extreme hunger and poverty. In the first phase, Chinese experts will stay for about three years and train local farmers in the nations they have been sent to. The second phase will expand on the lessons learnt, sharing best farming practices and establishing working relationships with research centres.

The South-South Cooperation has gained prominence in recent years as an innovative approach to development assistance that complements traditional models of development assistance. According to the FAO-China South-South Cooperation Trust Fund, China will support the exchange of its agricultural experts with countries in the global South especially low-income food deficit areas in Asia, as well as in Africa and Latin America, over a period of five years.

FAO director-general José Graziano da Silva said, “China has made strides in decreasing hunger and has used its own experience to support other countries in doing the same. It has become clear that while we have the power to end hunger in our lifetime, we will only succeed if we work together – Southern countries empowering one another by exchanging knowledge and tools is a key part of this.”

Source: Far Eastern Agriculture
Author: Far Eastern Agriculture
Available: http://www.fareasternagriculture.com/technology/infrastructure/china-and-fao-sign-us-50mn-deal-to-support-food-systems